BTS wins Artiste of the Year at fan-voted American Music Awards
The K-pop superstars also won the award for Song of the Summer with Swim.
(L-R) Jungkook, Jin, Jimin, RM, J-Hope, V and Suga of BTS accept the Artiste of the Year award onstage during the 52nd American Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 25, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP
Ethan Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
K-pop stars BTS were celebrated on Monday (May 25) with the top award of Artiste of the Year at the fan-voted American Music Awards (AMAs).
The group also claimed the Song of the Summer honour for the single Swim at the ceremony in Las Vegas. They were also named Best Male K-pop Artiste.
BTS prevailed over Taylor Swift, winner of the most AMAs of any artist over her career, as well as stars including Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga and others.
They opened the show dressed in all-black outfits and black sunglasses, in a pre-recorded performance of Hooligan from the Vegas concert stop on the group's Arirang world tour.
Song of the Year went to Golden, the upbeat tune from the Netflix animated movie KPop Demon Hunters.
Twenty-year-old indie musician Sombr was named the recipient of Best Rock/Alternative Song for his hit Back To Friends.
"I wrote this song when I was 19 and depressed all by myself in my bedroom," he said on stage. "So being here, I never would have expected that."
He later won Best Rock/Alternative Album for his debut album, I Barely Know Her.
K-pop girl group Twice, who are currently in the final leg of their This Is For world tour, nabbed the award for Best Female K-pop Artiste.
This marks the nonet's first American Music Award.
Twice, comprising Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu, beat out other popular girl groups including Blackpink and Le Sserafim.
In a statement, the official page of Twice said: "Thank you so much to all the Onces who voted for us and made this possible. We truly couldn't have done it without you! A million thanks and all our love."
